Idk, something about this one just hits different... and don't worry, this isn't what I was talking about when I said this arc features Valka. I have something more planned for that ;)
Entry 47
It's getting close to holiday time, and I think my gift is complete. I worked quite a lot on making sure the shape is perfect, and the balance between the mallet and handle is just so that it's more powerful without requiring as much effort. And, to add a finishing touch, I tried carving a few runes into the handle (though my woodcarving skills are nowhere near as good as my father's…). I think it all looks pretty good, and I'm excited to give it to him. Now, I just need to find a place to hide it until Snoggletog comes.
I'm pretty certain my dad is in the Great Hall, so I should be able to sneak the hammer home. I just hope I can make it… I can carry it alright, but the distance from here to home will probably be a workout… Perhaps I should have thought of that earlier. Ah well; there's nothing I can do about it now.
…
I got home just in time. I had just managed to drag the gift up into my room when the door opened and my father stomped into the house. I quickly shoved the hammer into my storage chest and after a few minutes, prepared to go downstairs, acting as if nothing was different. But halfway down the staircase, I stopped. I had heard my dad settle into his chair a minute after he got home, but now, I could hear something else… almost like a soft sniffling. I crouched down on the step, trying to listen closer.
"Oh, Val… what do I do?"
My heart felt like it skipped a beat; Val is my mom's nickname. It had been a long, long time since I'd heard him talk to her.
"How I wish you were here. You'd know what to do. The village is going under without provisions, trade is stopped up by the ice, the people are getting impatient, and Hiccup-" he stopped, sighing. "Hiccup is trying, but he just can't get there. He's so much like you, Val. Almost too much like you. And that's what really worries me; I don't want him to end up in the same place. He's too curious, too ambitious, too… too innocent. He has the fire but not the skill… and I fear he's going to get himself killed. Please, Valka… tell me what to do… tell me how to help…"
I took in a sharp inhale, backing up a step, because this was DEFINITELY not something I was supposed to hear. But as I did, the wooden stairs creaked, and my father turned his attention upward, spotting me.
"Hiccup-"
"I- I was just-" I tried to come up with an excuse.
"Go back upstairs, son."
I simply nodded, knowing it best not to argue. And now, I'm lying in bed, a little shaken from everything I heard. To learn that things in Berk are much worse than I originally thought is frightening, but I think the most unsettling part of it all was the way he looked at me. Almost as if his eyes weren't even seeing me, or anything for that matter. He just looked… lost. Broken. And so utterly alone.
It almost makes me wish that dragon had just killed ME, all those years ago. Then, my mother would still be alive.
And my dad would still be happy.
Until next time…
-H
Well that was more depressing of an ending than I intended... sorry not sorry
